Diarification

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Saturday, November 28, 2015

[The event I have witnessed yesterday has some striking similarities with the fiction story that I have intended to publish. My small book talks about the teachings of Buddha and how it becomes helpful to an addict to recover and leads a productive life. The book is of 49 pages only. I have not been able to mend organizations and meet people who could help me publish the book. The first printed form has been laying on my bookshelf for three months now. Hope the menu-script of the book will not remain on the shelf forever. Or did I write the book only for my shelf? Ha..ha… Anyways…Enjoy reading the following narration.]

Walking
home yesterday evening from Thimphu City was rather serene because there were
few strollers and vehicles plying along the Express Way. May be it was too cold
a weather for our fellow Thimphulites to come out. The stage was uncommon. We
almost literally took the ownership of the municipality road for an
evening!..ha..ha..

For
my wife and for me the serene walk became even more blissful. How? We saw
something on the Sky of Kuensel-phodrang! Unusual yet peaceful. Luminosity at
its Best!

While
walking further down towards our resident at Changzamtog, our attention was
stroke by the presence of an image of Buddha’s face right above the Hindu
Mandir. At that moment we had just passed Thimphu Pry School building.

It
was 6:50 PM when we noticed the image. My wife and I kept looking at the
unusual sight as we walk home till it disappeared at around 7:20.

Tashichedzong at Night (Image:google)

Memorial Chorten (Image: Google)

Many
land structures around Thimphu city have been made luminous with colorful
lights. The architectural aspect of the structures are also clearly visibly
from far distance. All structures look stunningly beautiful. I salute the mind
that had a space for such an initiative. Thank you. The colorful lights are
there to make the structures stand out during the night and it does add beauty
to our small city.

The
sighting of the image of Buddha’s face on the sky will not be a big deal if the
concern authority had the good intention of throwing light on the structure of
Buddha to create a huge shadow on the sky. Hats off to the authorities who had
the vision and wisdom to do so. If it wasn’t their intention….than it is purely
the Revelation of Buddha himself.

The
lights had more to do than to bring the beauty of the Buddha’s Statue at night;
the appearance on the sky is quite symbolic…I would like to think so. It
represents Victory of Good over Evil, Dharma over malignity and victory of
light over Darkness!

We
would not take the credit of discovering the formation of image as it’s just
another simple principle of Physics in action! Throw a light and you get a
shadow on the other end. Though the principle here has been used productively
(if it is used so to create a shadow of Buddha on the sky). However, having
born to a Hindu family and being an ardent follower of teachings of Buddha I
had a great time to witness the revelation!

With
the help of the lights, the Statue is visible, laden with warmth and has its
replica on the dark sky. I would like again to stress on the probabilities of
everything…The appearance could mean; “Buddha is always there! To guide, to
heal your wound and to help you even during the darkest time of your
life.” Or is it saying “Be aware (don’t go against the teachings of Buddha)….Buddha
is Watching YOU!” It could mean
anything.

To
sum up, the magic on the sky could be intentional with the use of physics or
mere coincidental incident but it surly appeared magical and blissful. We
indeed felt blessed to have been able to see the HOLY ONE on the dark sky with
our naked eyes.

By
the way, I shall view the sky to feel at peace this evening too. Hope you would
also glue your eyes on the sky of Kuensel-Phodrang this evening around 6:50 PM
to 7:20 PM. Will you folks?

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

I had created my blogging account
in 2009 but couldn’t write anything that year. The actual writing began after I
started teaching in Lichen Community Primary School, Trashiyangtse in 2011.

Lichen Community Primary School, Trashi Yangtse

Teaching in a small school in a
far flung village wasn't the inspiration alone. The life and the stories of
people and children of the community inspired me to blog about them on my
infant web page with almost no experience of blogging.

Life in the village was worth
living so it was worth writing too. I kept writing about their simplicity,
humbleness and their stories of patience and endurance. The humbleness of the
villagers, the hospitality they offer when I visit their houses on weekends and
the respect they have for others always moved me. My stay in the community was
indeed memorable with great experiences.

Let me share one such experience.

During any ritual in the community, I
would be invited and given a seat next to a Lam (priest) who conducts the
ritual. We would be pampered in all little ways.

We would have the best and the
most expensive ‘Dhen’ (carpet) of the
village to sit on, the best brewed local alcohol, a fine lump of fresh butter,
a hill of red rice, a flask of butter tea and aromatic cheese curry specially
prepared for us. The ‘jenda’ (house
owner) or an elderly womanwould
be seated nearby to serve us, chat and to look after our welfare. We would be
the first ones to be served with the entire cuisine prepared for the feast that
would follow after the ritual is completed.

The villagers and their children
will be seated a few steps behind our attendant. They will be glaring at us as
if we two were the ‘MEN FROM THE MOON’. And when we are half-way in our dining,
then the villagers will be served. After the meal is over, folk songs and
dances will end the event for the day.

A new day for a media student-
turned- community teacher starts again with the oriental sun rising from the
eastern horizon.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Choling Yargay Daytshen, a farmers
group of Singaygang village under Sipsu Dungkhag (Samtse) commemorates His
Majesty’s 34th Birth Anniversary distributing their own ice-cream
product to the teachers, students of Peljorling Higher Secondary school and the
local residents who gathered Friday at the school courtyard to witness the
celebration.

After the speeches were made and the
cultural items organized by the school were presented, it was the moment for
the Bhutan ice-cream boxes to uncover their goodies. The Principal and the teachers
got in line to taste their share and they were followed by the students and the
local residents.

Standing in front of the Banner ; Chairperson Gauri Sharma

The Farmers Group which comprises
of 25 active members organized the free distribution of Ice-cream. Each member
contributed two liters of milk to manufacture enough ice-cream for the
important day. ‘it is a moment of joy for us to be able to contribute on such a
day, we wish our King a happy birthday and pray for his long live ’ said the Group’s
chairperson Gauri Sharma who also initiated the move.

The Group Members with Local staff from Agriculture and Animal Husbandry departments

The Ice-Cream Machine

Bhutan Ice-cream is the only
ice-cream brand in the country. The manufacturing plant at Singaygang village was
made possible with financial aid from GEF,small grant program- UNDP and is supported by Ministry of Agriculture and Forest.
The plant was formally inaugurated on 22nd December, 2013 by His
Excellency lyenpo Yeshey Dorji.

Inaugurating the ice-cream manufacturing unit

The Brand has come a long way
from being a homemade ice-cream to a brand worth exporting. The ice-cream comes
in both cone and pouches with information label and design. The brand has Five
different flavors to offer; Vanila, Butter Scotch, Kesar Pista, strawberry and
mix-fruit. Meanwhile, the product is only available in Samtse Dzongkhag due to
the limited transport facilities and lack of marketing agencies.

THEN & NOW

Bhutan Ice-cream is one of the products
produce by the farmers group. With the arrival of 15 jersey cow and 15 buffalos,
the Group would be able to commercially produce cheese, milk, butter and “Bhutan
Ice-cream”. The government leased land which
they have been provided will act as a pasture land for the cattle.

Choling Yargay Daytshen is also
looking into fishery business and Bio-gas refilling machine which will make the
Group self-reliant.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

By quarter to 6 yesterday
morning, as crystal clear dew on our window glass were just dripping down, I
was with a cup of warm milk tea ready to serve my wife. It’s unusual to find me
up so early every day. But the importance of the day urged me to surprise at
least my wife.

She was still nestled under the
warm blanket like a baby. I slowly and carefully sneaked in, tucked her hair to
uncover her face and there she smiled.

With wide smile on her face she quickly
tightened her hair behind and I hand over the cup of tea. i kept looking at her
as she took over and caressed the cup to take the first sip.

But before she took the sip she
asked me to close in. I moved. She gave me a tight hug and wished me ‘A Happy
Anniversary’. I too wished her
simultaneously with all my love for her.

On the courtyard of the Lhakhang

On our day’s agenda, we had only
two important things to do. Visit Dechencholing Lhakhang and secondly to place an
ordinary door lock somewhere in the wood near Dechencholing.

Smiling at me

The friendship at the backdrop is alive on the forefront too!

My younger sister had accompanied
us on our ‘walk to remember’. We dressed ourselves appropriately for the
Lhakhang’s visit, bought some offerings to offer and not to forget we took the
lock along with its key with us.

My sister wished to provide
refreshment on our journey so she bought some cold drinks, cup cakes and lots
of sweets.

Captions not required....simply beautiful...

We entered the renowned
Dechencoling Lhakhang. Offered our prayers to the God and expressed how
thankful we are for all peaceful and blissful days we have spent all together
since our wedding.

As we came out of the Lhakhang,
we stroll down towards Dechencholing Palace. The presence of the Royal Palace,
blue sky and the empty wide road of Dechencholing made us feel very calm and
peace.

We savor each moment down the
road till we finally spot a place to briefly settle for refreshment. We sat
down on the bare ground. Dry pine needle-like leaves provided enough ease to
sit and dine.

The Lock: Somewhere in the woods of Dechencholing.

Right after the refreshment, I
took out the lock and the key and went on to search a place where I could place
the lock. I found it. Placed the lock and turn the key in and locked it.

For us the lock symbolizes unity,love and happiness and placing it on the living tree, we believe, will further strengthen our unity, deepen our love and expend our happiness as the tree grows taller and stronger.

The affair was simple and a quite
one. But…… a very special for us.

'Never let you go' kind of snap.

Most importantly, years
down the line when the tree plant on which we have placed the lock has grown tall and
strong we would have celebrated many more anniversaries. But we will have
something to search for inside the woods of Dechencholing which symbolizes many things along with the "togetherness" in celebrating our first Wedding Anniversary.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Gangla Khema Primary School under
Lhuentse Dzongkha in the north-east part of Bhutan begs First Price at the 3rd
Awards Ceremony of Design for Change Bhutan 2013.Design for Changeis a world
initiative to empower children around the world.

The event was held on Sunday, 18th
August in Motithang High School auditorium. The Award Ceremony was organized byEarly Learning Center, the DFC country Partner. 17 schools participated this
year for the contest- 3 from Luentse, 1 from Trashiyangtse, 2 from Chukha, 1
from Paro and 10 schools from Thimphu valley.

Students gathered for a reading session.

Like any other remote school,
Gangla Khema Primary School also had a dreadful problem. The hygiene of the children
was severely neglected by their parents. The children were suffering from Itchiness and
rashes were plenty on their body, fungal infection on heads and wounds on their
legs were a common sight. Lots of lice and its nit invaded their hair and their
body and mouth were stinking badly. The children were found having meals with
long, dirty nails and being absent were the order of the day. The long distance
and the rugged route from their houses to school would make them sweat a lot
and the uniform they have worn would get muddy while they reach their school. Owing
to these difficulties and ill health the children couldn't concentrate in theclass- a problem so important to solve at the earliest hour.

After much discussion with the
parents and the students,“Hygiene for Head, Heart and Hand” was taken
up as their Design for Change initiative.

Cupboards for students to keep their uniform

With dying need to start the
project, the school management used the fund of Nu 5000 which was given by the Dzongkhag
Education Office for the school to celebrate World Water Day. The management
used the fund to purchase tooth brushes, tooth pastes, nail clippers, soaps,
mediker and toilet papers.

The school provided shoe rags and
cupboards for the children to keep their uniforms at school when they leave for
home after the school hour. The students of class V and VI were paired with
class PP and I students so they could help the younger kids wash their hands
and legs properly.

From the following day, as soon
as the children reached the school then they brush their teeth, wash their legs, head
and wear their school uniform. The management has also hung a mirror for the
children to help comb their hair and help them dress properly.

Every Thursday afternoon, the
students keep aside their learning to take a bath. The senior students help
their adopted brothers and sisters to take a bath, trim their nails and clean
their ears.

The Principal trimming his student's hair with a hair clipper.

All the boys of Gangla Khema decided
to trim their hair short with the help of hair clippers four times a year to
avoid fungal infection and keep their head free from lice and nit.

Boys of Gangla with their Principal

Similarly,
the girls decided to apply mediker four times a year to remove lice and nit.
After applying this medicine, they massage it thoroughly and keep their head
covered by a piece of cloth for 3 hours. Then they comb their hair and wash it
with the help of soap.

Girls of Gangla on their hair/head treatment

To sustain this program the
school has started cultivating vegetables at the school campus and start poultry.
The school has already discussed with a boarding school nearby which has agreed
to purchase the vegetables and eggs from their small poultry farm. And after
witnessing a drastic change in the overall hygiene of their children the
parents also has agreed to pay Nu 30 each annually to sustain the program.

Students involved in growing vegetables

Gangla Khema Poultry Farm

When the principal of the school
shared his story of change in the auditorium, i felt for those innocent children in the depth of my heart. i couldn't help listening to the principal and staring at the photographs shared by him to tell the story.

Gangla Khema is one school among
500 plus schools across the country which has dared to do something and see the
change they wanted to see. HATS OFF to
the Principal of the school, teachers, students and the parents for having
achieved so much with so little resources and for silently telling us ‘I can and you
can, and together we can bring the change in the world'.

Photo courtesy: Principal of Gangla Khema Primary School, Lhuentse.

With the Rolling Trophy and A Projector (First Price) the Principal of Gangla Khema stands for a snap.Photographers seen in the frame: The principals of Baktong and Dangling Pry Schools from Lhuntse.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

More than 25 MILLION Students
across the globe is saying “I can”. Wow! That’s a huge achievement in itself
for the Design for Change world initiative. And for your information the three
word slogan “YES WE CAN” is what our DFC students have been saying for quite
some time now.

At Druk School, Our guiding
philosophy of Excellence in body, mind and speech strives to achieve excellence
in body conduct, in thoughts we think and in the language we use to communicate
with the world. Having these principles in place, we have been feeling,
imaging, doing and sharing Design for change stories since 2011.

“No BG vehicle” A DFC program started
in 2011 is an initiative to reduce corruption by discouraging parents to use
Government owned vehicle to drop and pick their children from our school campus.
“Kindle a flame” which started in 2012 is about educating our housemaids and
babysitters. Both these programs are being continued and are getting stronger. These
programs are changing mindsets, changing lives and have been reducing an ounce
of Government Budget each day that otherwise goes in purchasing an extra ounce of
petroleum for those extra trips.

This year DFC program in our school
was also dissected to class levels. And
by virtue of being the talk of the town my 7th grade student’s story
of “Active Citizens” which relates to democracy and politics got nominated to
represent our school here this morning.

Ladies and gentlemen, my
involvement in their story of change as a facilitator made me realize that DFC
Program brings about “Urgency” for action. The children hunt for the problems
that bother them the most; then they list down the solutions to solve it, and then
they execute their action and finally they share it with the world to inspire
others to make the world a better place to live. They feel, they imagine, they
do and then they share. They take all that matters in their own little hands!

It also came to my consensus while
helping the children that the DFC program also indirectly teaches them about
“designing” or about the “planning process” involved in creating something. The
designing of a clothe, for instance, requires the designer to feel about the
need for the cloth, then he imagines the fabric, design and the texture of the
cloth, and then he cuts and stitches the cloth pieces together and finally sale
it to the world.

Planning a dinner at home for
friends would involve the same process. I should first feel the need to throw a
party to my friends. Then I would imagine the menu and then I would invite my
friends and have dinner. Finally, I would share with my other colleagues in my
office about the dinner I hosted for my friends the previous night. Interestingly,
the talk about the dinner in the office would then inspire another friend to
host a dinner in the following night.

Personally speaking, DFC is changing
the way our children think. With its FOUR stages of FEEL, IMAGINE, DO and SHARE
DFC is teaching our children more than the stories they have in their minds to
share with us today. Getting our children involve in this noble initiative will
only make them more humane, visionary, smart planners, elite executives and
above all a responsible future citizen.

To sum up,
the story that my students so proudly want to share today with you all might
not make you click your tongue or might neither garner compassion from all the Connors
of this Assembly hall….because it relates to democracy and politics- the least
admired topics currently…….but it’s righteous enough to say that these children
have become more responsible citizens and have certainly curved a small space
for themselves in the history of our young democracy by being an agent of
change in their own little ways.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

The following piece of feeling was penned down during my college
days. This lyric (hope it sounds correct for the write up presented below) was
meant for a music video which could never be filmed. i guess i was too busy in other stuffs.

But this morning i found it tacked between my academic
certificates. And going through it i felt happy for being at home but gradually
my happiness was tainted by realizing the tremendous upheaval in
Darjeeling (in the recent times).

This write up, call it a poem, lyric, you name it...but i wish
to offer it as a sincere gratitude for letting us (foreign students) learn and
grow in the mesmerizing beauty of Darjeeling. It also aspires to be a
prayer that would help fulfill the 'aspiration for a separate state' and bring peace and happiness back to the Hills of Darjeeling; the place we would love to visit again.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

The coming of a crematorium made
my fellow villagers happy because now they will have a proper shelter to
cremate the dead. They will no longer have to stay under heavy rain while
burning the deceased. The problem of corpse unable to burn completely into
ashes will not be a problem anymore.

But the villagers have been paying the price worth
more than their comfort.

Crematorium along the bank of Sipsu River

The crematorium built beside
Sipsu River near my village (Hangay) is a story of “Poor Morality”. Why? Please
continue reading…..

The location of the crematorium
depicts sheer negligence on the part of the concern authorities involved in the
construction of the crematorium. They didn't have the basic commonsense or an
ability to foresee some negative impacts of the crematorium considering its
location.

Needless to say, the cleaning of
the crematorium drains the dirty water into Sipsu River. It is the easiest and
the only way for the caretaker to deposit the waste.

The river, as a source of
drinking water for the villagers, has been a life line for ages. Now people
cannot fetch the water for domestic use anymore whenever the water pipes
installed by the Local Government run dry.

Even more scary and sadden aspect of the
crematorium than the water crisis is the smelly smoke that invade alters and
rooms of the community where touching/eating meat is ethically and religiously
unaccepted.

The only logical reason behind
construction of the crematorium at the present location might be to make it
more close to the main road but Crematoriums are not Hospitals!

The benefit derived from the crematorium
has become minimal due to the negative impacts it have on the immediate water
source and the sanctity of our small village. The crematorium in all measure is
a good initiative by the Local Government but the present location is both
debatable and questionable.

The immediate solution I see as a
responsible citizen and as a member of the village is that the crematorium
needs to be relocated at the extreme end of the Sipsu River.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

On
Wednesday, 20th March, 2013, HAPPINESS was all ours. We, as a nation,
had celebrated International Happiness Day. It was a perfect sunny day. The
weather was indeed synonymous to happiness.

Family dining in a restaurant on The International Happiness Day

Norzin
Lam, the main street of Thimphu City was closed for the traffic. The street was
filled with activities. The nearby restaurant owners had erected food stalls
with “happiness menu” tag posted on the top corner of their menu list. Songs of
our latest Blockbusters blared across the street. The dancers entertained the
onlookers. The clock tower had its own share of entertainment. And the people
of Thimphu walked along the street enjoying the day to celebrate happiness.

The Time Square of Thimphu

The Boulevard of Thimphu (Norzin Lam)

From
the innocent villagers of the far flung villages to the elite and snobbish
group of people in our capital city, we, as Bhutanese know how to celebrate
happiness. That’s for sure. We forget everything when we are in the mood of
celebration. We sing, we dance and then we drink a lot! We live in the moment. We
don’t make a point to discuss an issue of concern when we are all for
celebration. We just don’t worry at all! We just cannot afford to do so because
we are happy and would only like to be happier.

Though
our country doesn’t have the military strength or the economic might to boost
our patriotism but we have enough of other elements to be proud off. We had and
have great kings. We have rich culture and tradition, pristine natural
environment and we still have community vitality; we still rely and visit our
neighbors often. We contribute and support any initiative in a locality. We
come together in times of need and we mourn together on our common loss. We
have ample reasons to be happy and to celebrate as a nation.

But the recent developments in the economic and
political scenario of our country are quite baffling. These are the issues that
would not be so easily taken aside. From the gasoline price to the
international border disputes in the north, the online viral information about
our first set of politicians being corrupt and the economic crisis make up too
big a chunk to gobble down. I believe Bhutanese have never faced anything so
alarming than the current situation. I believe we were never so worried!

Where have we gone wrong as citizens of this
wonderful Nation? “Everything seemed OK before 2008”, remarks my close friend
with deep lament. Where did we fail as citizens? Now, all said and done, we are
yet again offered a choice to make! It’s the decision that will make or mar the
already worsened situation. Coming 13th of July is the D-DAY for all
of us. CHANGE is GOOD and CHANGE is at least certain to come in my constituency
this fall.

Yesterday, I received a telephonic call from Lichen
village in Trashiyangtse where I was once a community teacher. The callers on
the other end were two mothers of my ex-students inquiring about my whereabouts
and requesting me to visit their village someday along with my wife. In their
limited Dzongkha and with their odd accent they informed me about a list of
things they would present us if we happen to visit them. Unaware of the latest developments, their excitement
on hearing about my marriage and then the unending happiness that prelude in
their voice simply touched me.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

“The wisdom in an old head is worth
all the treasures of the world. And to say that life ends after retirement is
to commit a travesty of facts. Doing good to others is for merit and causing
pain to others is a sin”

In today’s world, there is a general feeling that
old people are burden on Society; they are mistreated by those in positions of
trust, power or those who are otherwise responsible for their well being.

Of various stages of human life, old age is
the last stage of human life where they become emotionally and physically weak.
Themodern society is built by the young for the
young and in the race of money, comforts and luxury they neglect the old.

An old woman seen begging on the stairs of BNB building

It’s
not uncommon now to see old people abandoned from their home. Youngsters have
little tolerance. They shout at their old parents. In some cases they torture
them both physically and mentally. The old doesn't have energy to fight back
and what they possibly do is just bow their head down and serve their own
children as a slave only waiting for their last breath. And many of these
disheartened souls often land up begging others for food or money in front of Banks,
along the street and in the bus terminus.

An old man begging one of the shop keepers.

Today, the difference between old and young
is substantial. Young are better educated so they do not blindly accept the
ideals of their elders. Youngsters today have lots of money to spend and enjoy
their life at the fullest. And it is often the elders taking all the suffering
and humiliations. In addition to it, the old age itself brings more ailments
which only make their lives more miserable.

Along Norzin Lam

Interestingly, the old always assume that
they know best for the simple reason that they have been here a bit longer. They don’t like their values being questioned
and threatened and this is precisely what young are doing.

The old consider ‘family’ as a good
environment motivating them to live happily. They enjoy having meals together and
play with their grand children.

The Old doesn't have the physical ability of a
young person. And this aspect of their life keeps bothering me. I have seen
them struggling everywhere; on the street across the town, toasted inside our
crowded city bus and on the staircase of our Banks.

Crossing a busy road is just one problem they
encounter, getting into a bus is another and they trying to get a seat inside
the crowded city bus simply make me feel uncomfortable.

The old and weak

Travelling by the city Bus has always been a
thought provoking experience for me. I have seen the old and the weak barely able
to stand on their feet. Yesterday, as I was walking back home I saw a bus
conductor lashing an old man to wait for the next bus because his bus was jam
pack.

On the other day, I saw an old woman being
dragged by few police officers and the woman was crying profusely. I wonder
what could be the reason.

An old man and his Radio

I have always seen an old man wandering on
the street of Thimphu with his radio blazing Bhutanese songs.

In one of the corners of our Bus Terminus
lives an elderly man with his thin mattress to sleep on, a blanket to cover him
during cold winter nights, a pair of Chinese shoes to help keep his legs warm,
a Gho and a woolen hat to wear.

In reality, the mere presences of old parents
indeed make us feel secure. They deserve our care and love and most importantly
they deserve the due respect. Their dignity must also be maintained at all
cost. They have a tolerant approach in whatever they intend to do for their
family because of their affectionate nature. And this “Tolerant Approach” should
not be misinterpreted in anyways as their weakness.

Pondering over the incident of the bus
conductor lashing on the old man, I felt in the core of my heart to thank him.
Why? If the old man did get on he would have to stand and that would be
certainly not good for his old bones. And you know, people rarely give their
seat to let any old man sit. Our youth have no time for the old and sadly the old doesn't have much time either.